Tondonia Gran Reservas at Big Wine Freaks
Tasted Wednesday, August 7, 2024 by melvinyeowq with 165 views
Introduction
Fantastic study of Tondonia Gran Reservas which are always a treat, and thankfully all of them showed well. Commonality among the wines was an elegance and seamlessness that age brought; the '70s wines in particular were absolutely purring. Also my first time having the white Gran Reserva, reminded me of how wow-ed I was first time that I had the normal Tondonia white because of its singularlity.
1996 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Gran Reserva Viña Tondonia 95 Points
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Some vanilla notes on the nose. Interestingly it didn't show any oxidation at first; waxy texture with some honey, savoury notes. Incredible ethereal texture seen much more rarely in whites than reds, loved the weightlessness of this. After a couple hours it became more typical with fino sherry notes. A stunning wine, but preferred it slightly on pop and pour when it was truly singular.
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1973 R. López de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva Viña Tondonia 95 Points
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Incredibly vibrant appearance, nose and palate for a 52 year old wine. Superb purity on the nose, didn't exhibit as much VA as the other wines. Youthful and fresh dark red, brambly fruit, superb depth and length. A seamlessly integrated, complete wine that is at its apogee.
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1976 R. López de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva Viña Tondonia 94 Points
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Thought this was corked at first but it blew off, so it wasn’t. Did have noticeably more VA and oxidation; didn't show much at first but awoke from its slumber to show attractive red fruit that reminded me of a top Burgundy. More understated than the 1973 which had more immediate appeal.
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1980 R. López de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva Viña Tondonia 91 Points
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Cloudy in colour, similar nose to the ‘76 with some tobacco and VA notes. Clearly from a wet year; fading red fruit that was bordering on thin. Elegant, but didn’t have the weight, precision or depth of the other wines.
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1995 R. López de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva Viña Tondonia 92 Points
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Better than my last bottle in London in 2022, this didn't have any plummy, raisined notes. More overt, attractive fruit with some savoury bacon fat compared to the older wines. Acidity and VA were on the high side which needs more time to integrate.
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2001 R. López de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva Viña Tondonia 93 Points
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Wow this was a blockbuster wine, clearly from a very strong vintage. More powerful than the other wines, with darker, brooding fruit. Got more elegant and relaxed with time in the glass; open for business with some aeration.
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2021 Jérôme Prévost Champagne La Closerie & 88 Points
France, Champagne
I really don't like recent iterations of Prevost. Too tropical (with overt grapefruit notes), natural and round; lacked acidity.
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2019 Coco Farm & Winery Pinot Noir Coco & 10R Series Kimura Vineyard 91 Points
Japan, Hokkaido
Thought trendy new-school Burgundy or Jura this time round but similar impressions to the previous time I had this. Fresh, juicy and quaffable, makes a versatile pairing with any food.
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